By David Braybrooke
The Australian Mist cat was formerly known as the 'Spotted Mist', and had a name change in 1998; they are still affectionately referred to as 'Spotties' by some owners. This all-Australian type of cat was begun by Dr. Truda Straede at the Nintu Cattery and was developed into a fully fledged breed over a 20 year period, starting from 1977.
They come from a large gene pool, with a background of over 30 foundation cats; this breed is a mixture of half Burmese, inheriting its 'laid-back nature', a quarter Abyssinian, sharing its striking ticking of its patterned fur, and a touch of domestic cat too, making it a hardy hybrid feline; the teeth and kidneys are strong and well-formed. Healthwise they have few serious issues but can be prone to allergies and skin cancers, owing to their light color; some Mists suffer from gingivitis.
Australian Mists have well-developed maternal instincts and are moderate breeders, giving birth to smallish litters of 4 - 5 lively kittens; the males are renowned as being superlative studs. Whether the Mists are desexed or not, they fit in well with a variety of other pets. With confident, self-assured personalities, these felines are very adaptable, even the male cats are able to live in small groups with other toms.
They are very people-centred types of cats, being intelligent, extremely affectionate and friendly, and tend to live as indoor pets; quickly becoming fully fledged family members, they are a very companionable pet; they also make excellent lap cats! A playful, kittenish nature stays with them for life and they are very fond of games; Australian Mists are trainable from 9 - 10 weeks of age; they are often super athletes with limitless energy!
Mists are good with very young children and are very tolerant of being touched, petted and handled by humans. They are not known as being big scratchers like some breeds, so the antique furniture is usually safe from markings. Wildlife is usually quite safe as they tend to leave it alone and stay indoors a lot.
This fully Australian breed has been created under the very strict standards of the New South Wales Cat Fanciers Association Inc; it is now recognized by governing councils Australia wide. They are a carefully developed breed with delicate spots or marbling in their coats.
The Australian Mist is a moderate variety, a medium-sized cat, with average bone structure and a muscular chest. They are often heavier than they appear and have a rounded head and large, lustrous, expressive, widely-set eyes, green, light yellow or citrine in color. Its ears are medium to large in size with a wide base and round tips with a forward slant to them; they have neat, oval paws and a thick tail that tapers just a little.
Their short, hallmark spotted coat,which should be gently brushed and groomed on a weekly basis, is quite resilient and they have a plump tail; hair color ranges from brown to blue, chocolate, lilac, gold, peach and caramel. Attractive patterned fur with delicate spots or intricate swirls of marble team with a misty background; legs and tail are barred and ringed, and the face is lined. The Australian Mist has a broadish nose, firm chin and wide whiskerpads; this gives the cat's visage a generous, open-faced expression.
They have a friendly, relaxed nature but can be quite active, fun-loving, bright, clever and very affectionate and inquisitive. They are becoming more and more popular with first time pedigree cat buyers and have a lifespan of about 12 years. The Mists are especially recommended for families and the elderly and make ideal pets.
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